By Blake Jackson
Recently signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, effectively enacting the 2025 Farm Bill. This legislation followed the Senate’s longest voting session ever, with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Traditionally, farm bills were passed through bipartisan cooperation between urban Democrats and rural Republicans-urban lawmakers supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and rural lawmakers focusing on farm support programs.
However, this farm bill marked a significant shift by moving through budget reconciliation, bypassing the usual 60-vote Senate threshold. This process excluded some non-budget items but covered nearly 90% of traditional farm bill programs.
Wisconsin farmers gained several key benefits, especially in dairy. The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, vital to over 80% of Wisconsin’s dairy producers, saw expanded eligibility to 6 million pounds of milk.
Farmers can now use their highest production history from 2021 to 2023 and receive a 25% discount for long-term commitments. The bill also introduces a biannual cost survey for cheese processors to modernize how dairy pricing is calculated, promoting fairer payments to farmers.
Livestock producers benefit too, with increased compensation for losses due to predation (100% of market value) and 75% for diseases or adverse weather.
New supports for unborn livestock and expanded drought relief were added. Commodity prices rose, with soybeans set at $10.00 per bushel and corn at $4.10, helping farmers navigate market uncertainty.
Conservation programs like EQIP, CSP, and ACEP receive additional funding, while trade development programs see increased investments. Rural healthcare funding doubled from $25 million to $50 million annually, addressing critical medical access in rural areas.
The bill maintains the 45Z tax credit for low-emission fuels but reduces the per-gallon credit from $1.75 to $1.00. However, permanent year-round E15 ethanol sales and a federal response to California’s Proposition 12 were not included, leaving concerns among producers.
Despite some gaps, the One Big Beautiful Bill delivers important wins for Wisconsin agriculture, reflecting years of advocacy and farmer input.
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy